This article talks about: My Failed Attempt for Kailash Mansarovar Motorcycle Trip via Lipulekh Pass in 2019 & The Ultimate Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Guide.
In 2019, I set out on what was supposed to be the spiritual journey of a lifetime – the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass. But as fate would have it unavailability of Inner Line Permit and my own lack of preparation meant I had to turn back just before reaching Gunji.
Read about it here: Lipulekh Pass Road Trip Blog
That failure taught me more about this pilgrimage than any guidebook could. Now, after years of research and speaking to pilgrims who’ve successfully completed the yatra, I’ve put together the most detailed guide to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass – covering road conditions, permits, altitude risks, and everything else most blogs miss.
Why Lipulekh Pass is the Best Route For Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?
Until 2020, Indian pilgrims had to take longer, more expensive routes via Nathula Pass in Sikkim, or Nepal . But the Lipulekh Pass (5,334m) in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district is now the shortest and most direct path.
Advantages of Lipulekh Route:
- Shortest route (Reduces travel time compared to the Nathula Pass Sikkim route)
- Fully controlled by India till the border (No dependency on additional permits)
- Lower cost (Govt. packages start at ₹1.6 lakh vs. ₹2.5+ lakh via Nepal and Sikkim)
But it’s not easy. The roads are brutal, altitude sickness is a real threat, and one mistake in paperwork can ruin your trip. Here’s everything I wish I knew before my failed attempt.
Detailed Itinerary For Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via Lipulekh Pass: From Delhi
Day 1-2: Delhi to Dharchula – The Grueling Road Journey
🚂 Option 1: Overnight Train to Kathgodam
- Ranikhet Express (15013) – Departs Old Delhi at 10:50 PM, reaches Kathgodam at 5:40 AM.
- Why I recommend this: You save a night’s hotel cost and arrive fresh for the mountain drive.
🚗 Kathgodam to Dharchula – The Real Test Begins (280km, 10-12 hrs)
Most blogs just say “it’s a long drive”, but no one warns you about:
- Almora to Pithoragarh (120km): The road looks decent on maps, but it’s a single lane with frequent landslides. Our bus got stuck for 3 hours near Chaukori because a truck had skidded off the road.
- Pithoragarh to Dharchula (60km): The worst stretch. The road crumbles near Jauljibi, where the Kali River floods every monsoon. In 2019, we had to wait 2 hours for an army convoy to clear debris.
Pro Tip: If you get car sick, take Dramamine before this journey. The curves are relentless.
Day 3: Dharchula to Gunji – Where the Real Adventure Starts
Permit Check at Narayan Ashram
Before Gunji, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) checks permits at Narayan Ashram. In 2019, two people in our group were turned back because their medical certificates weren’t stamped properly.
Road Conditions (Dharchula to Gunji – 75km, 6-7 hrs)
- Tawaghat to Sirkha: This 15km stretch is only for 4×4 vehicles. The road is carved into cliffsides with no guardrails. One wrong move and you’re in the Kali River.
- Sirkha to Gunji: The last 40km is all rocks and mud. Our jeep broke down near Kalapani, and we had to wait 4 hours for a replacement.
Where To Stay:
- KMVN Gunji Camp – Basic tents, no electricity, and -2°C at night even in June.
Day 4: Gunji to Nabhidang – The Altitude Hits Hard
Why Acclimatization is Non-Negotiable
At 4,200m, Nabhidang is higher than Leh. In 2019, a fellow pilgrim ignored headaches and vomited all night. By morning, he had HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) and had to be evacuated.
Trek vs. Jeep?
- Trek (20km, 5-6 hrs): Slow but helps acclimatize.
- Jeep (3 hrs): Faster but riskier—our vehicle got stuck in slush near Nabhidang.
Pro Tip: Start Diamox 125mg twice daily from Dharchula itself.
Day 5: Nabhidang to Lipulekh Pass (5,334m) – The Toughest Day
The 8km Death March
- First 4km: Gradual climb, but the thin air makes breathing hard.
- Last 4km: Near-vertical ice patches. In 2019, a snowstorm forced us back here.
Border Formalities
- Indian Exit at Lipulekh: The SSB checks passports.
- Chinese Entry at Taklakot: They take your passport and issue a Tibet Travel Permit.
What Went Wrong in 2019:
A sudden China-India border dispute closed Lipulekh that week. We waited 2 days before giving up.
Day 6: Taklakot to Mansarovar – First Glimpse of Kailash
The Life-Changing Moment
Seeing Kailash at sunset from Chiu Gompa can make you cry. The mountain glows gold—no photo does it justice.
Holy Dip in Mansarovar
- Water Temp: 2°C in June. Only dip your feet as full immersion risks hypothermia.
- Best Time: 5 AM—calm waters, fewer crowds.
Day 7: Darchen to Dirapuk (12km, 6-7 hrs)
- Yam Dwar: The symbolic “Gate of Death.” Pilgrims leave a personal item here.
- Stay at Dirapuk: Mud huts, no heat, and shared pit toilets.
Day 8: Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk via Dolma La Pass (5,636m)
- The Killer Climb: 18km, 10+ hrs. At the pass, you will see people crawling from exhaustion.
- Oxygen Cans: Sold in Darchen (₹800 each). Worth every rupee.
Day 9: Zuthulpuk to Darchen (14km, 4-5 hrs)
- Easy descent, but blisters can destroy your feet. Make sure you bring moleskin patches.
Permits & Costs For Kailash Mansarovar Road Trip via Lipulekh Pass
1. Inner Line Permit (ILP)
- Where: DM Office Pithoragarh/Dharchula.
- Documents Needed: Aadhar, voter ID, 4 passport photos.
- Cost: ₹100 (but agents charge ₹1,500 for “fast processing”).
2. China Group Visa
- Applied via tour operator (No solo trips allowed).
- Processing Time: 45 days.
Total Cost Breakdown:
| Category | Cost (₹) |
| Govt. Package | 1,65,000 |
| Personal Gear | 20,000 |
| Emergency Fund | 15,000 |
| Total | 2,00,000 |
Packing List And Tips
Most Overlooked Items:
- Toilet Paper: Chinese guesthouses don’t provide any.
- Hand Warmers: Nights at Dirapuk hit -10°C.
- Trekking Poles: Saved my knees on the descent.
Shoes That Work:
- Quechua MH500: Waterproof, ankle support.
- Camp Shoes: Crocs for rest days (trust me).
Other Tips for a Successful Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
- Train for 3 Months – Daily stair climbing + 10km walks with a backpack.
- Carry Extra Cash – ATMs in Taklakot don’t accept Indian cards.
- Don’t Rush Acclimatization – The group that skipped rest days had 3 evacuations.
Conclusion
Failing in 2019 hurt, but it taught me that Kailash isn’t just a trek—it’s a test of patience and humility.
If you’re planning this yatra, prepare like your life depends on it (because it does). And if things go wrong? Remember—even failed attempts bring you closer to the divine.
Har Har Mahadev!